Politely Debating Your Humanity

By Ta-Nehisi Coates

As I have written, I revere heterosexual marriage and procreation. I revere the sacrament of Matrimony. But I also cherish just as much my God-given emotional and sexual orientation and the humanity and dignity of my gay brothers and sisters and know that their struggle to be more fully, lovingly human is fated to be no more or less successful than anyone else's. I extend an open hand of celebration and equality and struggle to Ross and his wife in recognition of our common humanity and citizenship.
He will not extend the same hand to me and my husband, except from a position of legal privilege and moral superiority.

In the end, that's what it is. That's what it has always been.

Again, I'm somewhat enamored with Andrew's willingness to respectfully debate his rights. It's very Booker T. Washington of him--and I mean that in the best possible way. The fact of the matter is that the argument has to be made, and it's likely that some kid out there is going to see a little clearer because of it. The conservative touch (contrasted with a more radical approach) has its place.